【Story】Journey of Sister Chapter 1

Ch. 1　Black Market Auction

Part 1

“Bidding the Treasure”

In an oasis of the boundless desert, many businessmen set up stalls here. The hustle and bustle of this exotic place attracted a young girl to visit. She has beautiful, short black hair and a sweet face. And this pretty is the protagonist of this story, which is me.
What? My name? It doesn’t matter. The only thing you need to know is that I’m the cutest sister in the universe, and that’s enough. Alright, back to the topic. Why am I here in this desert?
I’m not here for sightseeing, despite how amazing this place is. Of course, I don’t want my tender skin to be burnt by the hot weather, but I have something important to do…Look, here it is.
When I look at the square in front of the oasis lake, a swarm of people has already gathered. Many are well-dressed millionaires, with the same purpose as me—to win the secret treasure in this black market auction.
And my target is—
Auctioneer: Finally came to our final product, “Magic Crystal Ball”. As long as you have something related to your target, this treasure can track where your target is. Please rest assured. This has been approved by the A-Class mages of “Starmage,” the magic organization.
The old man who wears a magic robe and holds a staff nodded slightly. There is a clasp of the Starmage on the robe. Judging from his magic aura, this old man is not a fake.
Auctioneer: The reserve price is 100 coins. Let’s start the bidding.
Businesswoman: 120!
Old Lady: 150!
Gentleman: 180!
Darn it! What a hot item. But in order to find Mother, I have to get the magic crystal ball!
Sister: 300!
Auctioneer: This young girl is generous! Does anyone else want to bid?
The Rich~500.
Sister: Wait, what!
I’m not the only one feeling surprised. Everyone is stunned, too.
Auctioneer: Young girl, do you have a higher price to offer? Otherwise, that gentleman will win the bid.
Sister: I…I don’t have many coins in my hand…
Auctioneer: No worries, our chamber of commerce accepts the valuation of trading items. Let me see…the pendant on your chest should be worth 250 coins.
Sister: Um…
I hold the pendant on my chest, feeling its faint magic power. This is a gift from my mother, and my brother has one too. It is a reward for us to have successfully entered the magic school.
At that time, my mother was busy all night long as the grand mage of Starmage, but she still took the time to make the pendant personally. When I received it, I was so happy that I couldn’t sleep all night. This pendant is like a treasure in my heart, but if I use it to exchange clues to find Mother…
Grabbing the corners of my clothes, I’ve made up my mind—
Auctioneer: Hey, wh-what are you doing!? Why take off your clothes—
Sister: This magic robe is made of special materials. It should be worth 250 coins!
Auctioneer: Well…it’s worth the price for sure.
Sister: Then I’ll raise the coins with it! 550 coins in total!
Auctioneer: Cough…anyone else would like to bid? 550, 550, 550, sold!
Sister: I did it!
The people present seem to be moved by my determination, giving me a warm applause. With a smile, I walk to the auctioneer’s storefront, hand over the coins and magic robe, and take over a refined silver box from the auctioneer.
I can’t wait to open the box. The exquisite crystal ball is placed on a purple satin, exuding a pressing aura. Then I look at it while holding the pendant.
Sister: Please tell me where my mother, Tawil, the grand mage, is?

Part 2

“Flash in the Pan”

The crystal ball is shining brightly. Nervous, I stare intently for fear that I may miss any details of Mother’s trace. Finally, this time I can—
Crystal Ball~Insufficient mana. To use the tracking service, please put the crystal ball under the moon for 18250 days.
Sister: …What the hell? 18250 days…that’s almost 50 years! This is useless! Hey, you, auctioneer! I need a refund!
Auctioneer: Goods sold are not returnable. After all, this is an authentic product, so there is no reason for the return, right? Mage of the Starmage.
Mage: Yes. The crystal ball is able to track the target, provided that it has enough mana to activate. So the deal is a fair trade. Behave yourself if you may.
That mage is intimidating me by raising his wand to gather elements. It seems if I don’t back up, he’ll do it by force…Ha, that is just what I want. It happens that I have anger to vent!
Sister: Behave myself…sure, I’m gonna behave myself after taking you down!
Mage: Humph, arrogant fool! I’m an A-class mage of Starmage. Die!
The mage swings his wand confidently to conjure a fireball with great heat. Ordinary mages may kneel down to beg for mercy instantly, but for me, there’s nothing to be afraid of because—
Sister: Mother’s magic is much stronger than yours!
Mage: What! Wh-why could you block my magic…Who, who are you exactly?
Sister: You better bear in mind. I’m the cutest sister in the universe!
I raise the staff high to summon the elements, which are gathered on the top of it. When the power reaches the critical point, I wave the staff down— Phoom! The auctioneer and the mage, along with the entire tent, are blown away to the sky like a meteor. Well, he’s able to survive, I guess, and at most breaks a fracture.
Sister: Phew, I feel much better now.
When I pick up my robe and coin bag, the pendant before my chest is in my sight, which reminds me of Mother. And I start to lose again.
I used to live with my twin brother Enoch and my mother. Although I have no father, my mother has spent her entire time taking care of and educating us, and letting us study at the magic academy. Those days were happy for me. But on the day of our graduation, Mother was missing. We tried desperately to find her, but it was in vain.
Afterwards, in order not to dismiss Charlouette the Magic Agency founded by my mother, my brother takes up the principal position while I’m responsible for searching for her whereabouts.
Regardless of any strange clues, I have never let go, but one failure after another, even the cutest sister in the universe, will inevitably feel depressed.
So I touch my earlobe. This is how Mother pacified brother and me in the past. Gradually, it became my habit to calm myself down.
Thanks to this, I regain my own pace. Yes, how can I give up? This is not like me. There is nothing impossible in front of me, only things that are not yet completed, so—
Sister: I won’t give up! I must find Mother and tie her back home!
I yell out loudly, which also attracts the attention of pedestrians, but I don’t care. Then I take out a notebook and pen, cross out the item “Magic Crystal Ball,” and keep reading.
Sister: Hmm…a magic lamp which can realize any wish, but it’s liberated…Hmm, what else do I have…Oh! This one!
I circle the text in the notebook “The Carta of All History of the World”. Since it records all the history, maybe there are clues about my mother in it. Hum, I’m so smart. Okay, let me see where it is.
Sister: Holylight City…the place which worships the Holy Gods…I heard that they’re not friendly to outsiders…It’s okay! How can you hate a cute sister like me?
Sister: Alright, let’s go!
However, I’ve never expected the truth to be such a shock…